According
to the Downey Police Department, they opened their doors in “1957 on the site of the old Downey Elementary School.The department operated at that location until 1984, at which time it moved to its newly constructed site.”When first authorized in 1957, the Downey Police Department hired 50 police officers.Today, the
Downey Police Department is organized into: Administration; Field Operations and Investigations.

The Administrative services include
records, professional standards, code enforcement and the Special Enforcement Team.Within the Field Operation
is the Uniformed Patrol, Traffic Unit, Communications and Police Assistants.Today, the Downey Police Department
has an authorized strength of 124 sworn police officers, of which approximately 70 are assigned to patrol duties.

The Investigations portion of the Downey
Police Department include: Crimes Against Persons; Crimes Against Property; Special Investigations; Forensic Units and property/evidence.